What is
Rolfing Structural Integration?
Rolfing is a profound holistic system of body therapy, distinct from other
forms of bodywork in both its style and approach to working with the body,
and ultimately in its results for the client. More than a set of techniques,
Rolfing is an experience - the discovery of your own more spacious body. It's
bodywork you take with you - for a lifetime - so you can feel better on an
on-going basis, not just while you’re receiving it. Oh, and yes, Rolfing
actually has been known to feel good!

How is Structural Integration different from Chiropractic and massage?
Chiropractic therapy tends to focus on bone alignment and individual joints.
Rolfing, on the other hand, involves slower sustained pressures and addresses
the entire bed of soft tissue in which the bones are embedded. The goal is
to achieve balanced tension that allows the bones to fall back into their
proper relationships naturally.

The goals of most types of massage focuses on relaxing individual muscles
whereas Rolfing looks to realign and re-sculpt the entire body into a better
working (and feeling) unit. The goals of Rolfing require clients to be actively
involved during sessions by performing specific movements, noticing sensations,
and often getting off the table to sit, stand, or walk.

TOPWhat
does Structural Integration feel like?
Rolfing sessions evoke many different sensations: Stretching, Warmth, Release,
and Pressure. Though we often work with deep structures in the body, these
areas are often best accessed through gentleness and patience. At times, the
level of sensation during a session can be intense, but you are in charge
of how intense. Change can be more fully integrated when you can breathe freely
and allow restrictions to let go without tensing or bracing against pain.

What
should I wear?
Rolfers need to see your structure before, during, and after the session.
Therefore most clients, both men and women, go through the sessions in their
regular underwear. However, your sense of safety and comfort is of utmost
importance so gym shorts and sports bras ( or a two-piece swimsuit ) are also
fine (the less area of the back the sports bra takes up, the better). Once
you are on the table, you will be covered with a sheet or a blanket.

TOPCan
children receive Rolfing?
Absolutely! In addition to correcting structural patterns, Rolfing can serve
as a preventative measure to reverse potentially problematic patterns in the
young. One of the things children learn from watching us is how we carry ourselves
and they will naturally imitate their parent's language, movement and other
modes of expression. From colicky newborns to rebellious teenagers, children
will usually benefit from Rolfing. Some of the childhood structural patterns
that respond well to Rolfing are scoliosis, pigeon toes, knocked-knees, rounded
legs, poor posture, and even general adolescent growing pains. Work with children
is always gentle and comfortable and rarely requires the time that adult bodies
do.

TOPHow
often are the sessions?
The sessions (+/- 70 to 90 minutes per session) are usually scheduled once
per week. There are exceptions that can be made to this on a case-by-case
basis.

Can
Rolfing help my headache, back pain or other …?
Yes, as long as the pain is coming from a fascial imbalance. There are many
positive benefits Rolfing has to offer and sometimes the pain you are having
may disappear. It is important that you are the one determining that it is
worth continuing.